(Last updated on March 10th, 2023)
Cycling is a great sport and is consistently growing in popularity every year. One of the reasons for such amazing growth is e-bikes. E-bikes come equipped with a motor and a battery. These bikes have the incredible ability and are used by recreational cyclists and even by some professional riders.
They have become one of the quickest-growing types of bikes and are made in all shapes and sizes. One of the most popular is off-road electric bikes, and there are many to choose from. This article will tell you about some of the best off-road e-bikes and what makes them so special.
- What Do We Look for When Picking the Best Off-Road Electric Bikes?
- Compare the Best Off-Road Electric Bikes at a Glance
- Best All Rounder
- Best Performance
- Best for Fun Rides
- Best for Adventure
- Best Budget
- Budget Electric Bikes Buyers Guide
- Why Are Off-Road Electric E-bikes So Popular?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Do We Look for When Picking the Best Off-Road Electric Bikes?
Regarding off-road electric bikes, it can be really challenging to know what to look for. When picking the best, it comes down to many things, such as the following;
What Is the Design Like?
Off-road electric bikes come in all shapes and sizes, and the design is very important. When we look at bikes, and want them to offer the excellent ability to give you a great riding experience. The design must be comfortable and look great when you ride past people.
What Components Does It Have?
You will need excellent components if you really want an off-road bike to perform. When we look at off-road electric bikes, we look for great parts. The better suspension will help you over bumps, lots of gears can help you climb, and good wheels and tires can make the ride much more comfortable.
Is It Fit for Purpose?
One very important thing to consider is whether the bike has a particular purpose. Some off-road electric bikes are for light trails, and others are for extreme downhill courses.
Does it Provide Value for Money?
Off-road electric bikes can hugely range in price. You can get a bike for less than $1000 or as much as $15000. In this article, we look at bikes all across this range, and we look for if the bike is good value for money. We’re looking to recommend the best bike possible for the lowest price, so you always go away with excellent value for money.
Compare the Best Off-Road Electric Bikes at a Glance
| Bike | Frame | Suspension | Motor Battery | Gearing | Brakes | Price | Rating |
| eAhora AM200 | Aluminum | Front and Rear | 1000w with 90 mile range | Shimano 9-Speed | HydraulicDisc | $1900 | 9/10 |
| Cannondale Moterra | Carbon Fiber | Front and Rear | 250w with 60 mile range | XT 12-Speed | HydraulicDisc | $7700 | 8/10 |
| Tomofree Ebike | Steel | Front only | 1200w with 40 mile range | Single Speed | HydraulicDisc | $1400 | 7/10 |
| Explore E+ 0 Pro | Aluminum | Front Only | 250w with 100 mile range | XT 12-Speed | HydraulicDisc | $4500 | 9/10 |
| NCM Moscow M3 | Aluminum | Front only | 500w with 70 mile range | Shimano 7-Speed | Cable Disc | $990 | 9/10 |
Best All Rounder
1. eAhora AM200
Our Rating
9/10
$1900
KEY SPECS
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Motor | 1000w |
| Range | 90 Miles (PAS) |
| Suspension | Front and Rear |
| Groupset | Shimano 9-Speed |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
| Wheels and Tires | 26” Wheels with 4” Tires |
| Intended Use | Challenging Trails |
| Weight | 66lbs |
PROS
- Excellent off-road ability
- Looks great
- Power motor and battery
- Large wheels with monster tires
- Great value for money
- Hydraulic disc brakes
CONS
- It will be laggy on the road
- Not the lightest at 66lbs
eAhora is an electric bike brand making waves in the e-bike scene. They offer an incredible amount of bikes for very little money. Our best all-rounder is the AM200. It has excellent ability on trails and is also a great bike for cruising the streets. The AM200 is a full-suspension mountain bike made of aluminum with a relaxed geometry.
It has eAhoras own suspension on the front and rear, making this bike very capable and comfortable on a trail. The motor is powerful 1000w and comes with a large battery. The eAhora states can make up to 90 miles on a single charge in the pedal assist mode. If you’re wondering what the top speed is, it’s 31mph.
It comes with a Shimano 9-speed groupset for easy gear shifting, and these are paired with powerful hydraulic brakes to stop you quickly. One of the best parts of this bike is the wheels. They are 26” wheels and are equipped with huge 4” tires. Not only will this make it handle excellently, but it will also help you keep a grip on loose terrain. It also adds a huge amount of comfort and looks incredible. It even comes with lighting for those early mornings and late-night rides.
RATINGS
| Value for money | 4 |
| Appearance | 4 |
| Performance | 4 |
| Comfort | 4 |
OUR VERDICT
On the eAhora AM200 is that it’s excellent bike. It not only looks incredible, but it offers excellent ability and comfort. It’s not the lightest and is laggy on the road but coming in at only $1899, it’s worth every cent and comes highly recommended.
Best Performance
2. Cannondale Moterra Neo 2
Our Rating
8/10
$7700
KEY SPECS
| Frame | Carbon Fiber |
| Motor | 250w |
| Range | 60 Miles (PAS) |
| Suspension | Front and Rear RockShox |
| Groupset | Shimano XT 12-Speed |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
| Wheels and Tires | 29” Wheels with 2.6” Tires |
| Intended Use | Mixed Terrain |
| Weight | 52lbs |
PROS
- Lightweight Setup
- Excellent off-road ability
- Looks great
- 29” wheels and tires
- Powerful hydraulic disc brakes
- Shimano XT gearing
CONS
- Not the cheapest
- Servicing cost will be more expensive than other bikes on this list
Cannondale is known for making excellent bikes and is one of the longest-running bike manufacturers. When we first saw the Moterra, we knew had to be on the list of the best off-road electric bikes. Unlike many other electric bikes, the frame is carbon fiber, which is stiff, incredibly lightweight, and made for hitting trails fast.
It’s a full suspension bike with a RockShox front fork and two-position rear shock. The motor is Bosch 250w, and it comes with a 750Wh battery giving you 60 miles range and a top speed of 20mph. Although it may not be as big as other electric bike setups, it’s incredibly efficient and lightweight. It has a Shimano XT groupset which is one level below what the professionals use.
The Moterra comes with four-piston hydraulic disc brakes that are incredibly powerful and will feel very responsive no matter your riding conditions. The 29” wheels make getting over obstacles easy and, paired with 2.6” tires, keep everything rolling fast. This bike also comes with a dropper post and also suspension lockout system.
RATINGS
| Value for money | 3 |
| Appearance | 5 |
| Performance | 4 |
| Comfort | 3 |
OUR VERDICT
The Cannondale Moterra Neo 2 is an excellent bike and boasts incredible performance with its lightweight frame and responsive suspension. It isn’t the cheapest to buy or maintain and may not have the most powerful motor. It is a performance racing bike that does give an amazing experience overall and our verdict is it deserves an 8/10.
Best for Fun Rides
3. Tomofree Electric Mountain Bike
Our Rating
7/10
$1400
KEY SPECS
| Frame | Steel |
| Motor | 1200w |
| Range | 40 Miles (PAS) |
| Suspension | Front |
| Groupset | Single Speed |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
| Wheels and Tires | 20” Wheels with 4” Tires |
| Intended Use | Fun off-road rides |
| Weight | 64lbs |
PROS
- Easy to ride
- Very powerful motor
- Retro motorbike design
- Excellent handling
- Small wheels with huge tires
- Hydraulic disc brakes
CONS
- Not adjustable saddle
- Looks incredibly unique
- No gearing
If you’re looking for a bike to ride off-road, which is full of character then the Tomofree is worth a look. It’s a completely unique design and mixes a BMX, a mountain bike, and a moped. Think of a retro motorcycle. The frame is steel, very compact, and has a lot of low-down weight, giving the bike incredible control and handling. It has a very comfortable motorbike-style saddle which sadly isn’t very adjustable.
The Tomofree comes with its own front suspension, which will take the bumps out of the road and make it a very comfortable ride. The motor is a very powerful 1200w, paired up with a large battery, giving you a maximum speed of 34mph and a range of 40 miles. The gear is a basic single-speed, so you will require the help of the motor when it comes to steep hills.
The hydraulic disc brakes are great for stopping you quickly and are needed with a powerful motor like this. The 20” wheels make this bike turn quickly, and it’s an incredibly agile bike when it comes to corners sharply. Another great feature is the 4” fat bike tires. Not only do they give it an excellent grip, but they add to the comfort. It also has excellent features, such as lighting, a long saddle, and fenders.
RATINGS
| Value for money | 5 |
| Appearance | 3 |
| Performance | 5 |
| Comfort | 3 |
OUR VERDICT
The Tomofree bike is unique, and you won’t see many bikes like this. It has a powerful motor and incredible handling. It is limited in gearing, and it’s not something that everyone will like. As a fun off-road electric motor style bike, we can highly recommend it and feel it’s great value for money. It got our verdict of 7/10. If you like this bike, a similar bike recently reviewed by us is the Lectric XP
Best for Adventure
4. Giant Explore E+ 0 Pro (Stagger Frame)
Our Rating
9/10
$4500
KEY SPECS
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Motor | 250w |
| Range | 110 Miles (PAS) |
| Suspension | Front |
| Groupset | Shimano XT 12-Speed |
| Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
| Wheels and Tires | 700c Wheels with 45c Tires |
| Intended Use | Adventure and touring |
| Weight | 46lbs |
PROS
- Great for adventure cycling and touring
- Come in two frame versions
- An incredible range for an electric bike
- Shimano XT gearing is excellent
- Lots of special features
- Very comfortable
- Incredibly light
CONS
- Not the cheapest
- Looks quite plain
If you are looking for an electric bike to take on adventures or even touring, the Explore E+ 0 Pro is our top choice. The frame is made of Giant ALUXX aluminum and comes in two versions: a step-through and a standard top tube; today we’re speaking about the step-through. It is made for comfortable long rides and will be fun off-road and excellent on the road.
It has an RST pulse air fork on the front giving 60 mm of travel. The motor is a 250w Giant sync drive, and it comes with a large battery giving you up to 110 miles of power on a single charge in the right conditions. It has a Shimano XT mountain bike groupset, making it excellent for getting up a hill quickly without having to suffer even without the motor. It also comes with the Shimano XT brakes for great stopping power.
The wheels are 700c tubeless-ready, and they come with 45c tires. They are not the most aggressive mountain bike tires but are excellent not just off-road but also on the road. It comes jam-packed with excellent features such as lighting, fenders, a rear rack, and even a kickstand. What impressed us about this bike is that it all together only weighs a total of 46 lbs, making it incredibly light.
RATINGS
| Value for money | 3 |
| Appearance | 3 |
| Performance | 5 |
| Comfort | 5 |
OUR VERDICT
The Giant Explore E+ 0 Pro is an excellent bike for riding off-road and even for touring. Our verdict is 9/10. It may not be the cheapest or have to stand out looks, but it is incredibly equipped and comes with amazing special features.
Best Budget
5. NCM Moscow M3
Our Rating
9/10
$990
KEY SPECS
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Motor | 500w |
| Range | 70 Miles (PAS) |
| Suspension | Front |
| Groupset | Shimano Altus 21-Speed |
| Brakes | Mechanical Disc |
| Wheels and Tires | 29” |
| Intended Use | Mountain Biking |
| Weight | Unknown |
PROS
- Price is incredible
- Looks great
- Sizing is well thought through
- Great 70-mile range
- Powerful motor
- Great gearing range
CONS
- Mechanical brakes
- Basic components
If you are tight on a budget and looking for a fun off-road mountain bike with a bit of assistance, then the Moscow M3 could be the perfect bike for you. It’s an aluminum frame, and it’s made for mixed mountain biking. It comes with a front suspension from Suntour and has a nice upright riding position for maximum control and stability.
It comes with a 500w motor which at full capacity can peak at 750w. In the right conditions, the large battery can get you around 70 miles of riding, which is an excellent range. It comes with fairly basic gearing, the Shimano Altus 3×7, but it does offer an incredible range of gears, especially for climbing up hills and loose terrain. It comes with cable brakes which are not as good as hydraulic ones. They will still work and are easy to upgrade for $50 if you feel the need to.
The bike comes in a few different sizes, and depending on the sizes, you either get 26” (Small), 27.5” (Medium), or 29” (Large) wheels. We like this because the bikes will be much more fitted to the user’s height. It even comes with off-road knobby tires to match. As far as special features go, the bike comes with lighting.
RATINGS
| Value for money | 5 |
| Appearance | 4 |
| Performance | 4 |
| Comfort | 4 |
OUR VERDICT
You get a lot of bike for your money when it comes to the Moscow M3. It gets our verdict of 9/10. It may have basic components but can do everything the other bikes can at a very low price. You get a better riding experience if you spend more, but it still has incredible value.
Budget Electric Bikes Buyers Guide
So now you know about some excellent electric bikes available, how do you pick the perfect one for you? In this next section, we’ll discuss the questions you need to ask yourself to ensure you get the perfect bike.
What Rides Do You Plan to Go On?
Many cyclists make the error of buying bikes that are not fit for the job they want to do. If you plan to go on super challenging trails, you will need a bike with great off-road ability. If you want a bike for riding on the road, you will want a bike with great road ability.
Is the Sizing Right?
When it comes to electric bikes, they typically come in limited sizes. On a normal bike, you might get five sizes. You will be lucky to get three on an electric bike, but many will come in just one size. We recommend checking that the bike size will fit you because it will be more comfortable.
What Can You Afford to Spend?
When it comes to bikes, especially electric bikes, you do get what you pay for. The more money you spend, the better you will experience riding your bike. We recommend having a budget in mind and buying a bike using as much of the budget as possible.
What About Added Costs?
Another thing to consider is added costs such as maintenance and repairs. Like cars, bikes do break, and they will need servicing over the time you have them. We recommend allowing 10% of the cost of the bike to maintain each year. So if the bike is $1000, allow $100. If it’s $7000, then allow $700.
Motor
The motor and battery are the heart of the bike. It will give you the assistance you need to get up steep hills or those extra miles home. The higher the wattage of a motor, the more power it can produce and the quicker it can go.
Battery
The battery is what stores the energy for the motor to use. When the legs are tired, you can rely on the battery. The more help you think you need, the larger the battery you should get. Some bikes range as little as 15 miles, and others can go as far as 100 miles.
Customizing
A lot of companies don’t just box up the bikes and send them out to you. Some companies offer bike customization. This can make it perfect for you by being your favorite color. Having racks, lighting systems, and even extra batteries added can add much personal value. It’s worth looking at what some companies offer.
Why Are Off-Road Electric E-bikes So Popular?
Out of all the types of e-bikes, off-road e-bikes are among the most popular. Our readers often ask us why; here’s what makes them special;
They Can Go Anywhere.
The first thing to mention is off-road e-bikes can go anywhere. They are great on the road and trails and are perfect bikes for exploring the wilderness without disturbing wildlife as a motorbike would. It is common in modern days to see people hunting on e-bikes and park rangers using them to catch poachers.
They Cost Nothing to Run
Many people question how much it costs to charge an electric bike. Surprisingly, it’s incredibly cheap, and a full charge on many bikes costs roughly 10 to 30 cents. Some electric bikes can go as far as 100 miles on a single charge.
They Are Very Comfortable
Off-road electric bikes typically come with large tires, suspension, and saddles with extra padding. This makes them very comfortable to ride. With geometry that gives the rider an upright riding position, you’re not going to feel uncomfortable when getting those big-mile days in.
They Are a Great Training Tool
A lot of cyclists use e-bikes to help them get fit and stay in shape but also to help improve their ability. Many pros use off-road e-bikes because they can use the motor on the way up a trail, which takes a lot of effort, and then turn it off on the way down. They get to practice more runs on a course, giving them an advantage over their competition.
There are many distinguishing factors that make electric bikes special.
Conclusion
Off-road electric bikes come in all shapes and sizes. We hope you enjoyed reading our list. These bikes are a lot of fun, and it can be amazing to get out into nature and explore trails a road bike isn’t going to be able to take you. Off-road cycling is becoming very popular, and we’re excited to see many electric bikes on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Electric bikes are ideal for off-road riding. They not only help you go faster and explore further, but they also can help you ride with people who might be a little fitter than you. Many companies make electric bikes designed to go off-road and equipped with large tires, suspension, and flat handlebars.
Hybrid bikes are designed as a combination of different types of bikes, such as a mix between a road and a mountain bike. They are made for multipurpose riding, and although they will be ok off-road, they won’t give the best experience. A great hybrid we recommend is the Ride1Up 700.
An off-road bike has certain unique features that give it the capabilities it needs. You will generally have suspension, large wide off-road tires, and flat handlebars. They will be designed to keep the rider upright and in control.
If the work is harder for the bike’s motor, it will run the battery down faster. Generally, the heavy climbing or carrying a lot of goods gets the better of a bike’s battery. If your battery drains quickly, it might be worth checking its health at a bike shop.
An electric bike which is 15000w is mighty. This will be incredibly fast, and you will see speeds above 60mph, which the bike will probably be restricted from going further. What you will find with very high-power bikes is that they typically weigh a lot more.
I’m Robbie Ferri, a writer from Norfolk in the UK. I love cycling, the gym, and have a huge passion for sharing my stories and knowledge to anyone with the time to read them. My main passion is cycling. I started eight years ago. In that time I have broken world records, cycled all over the world in Ultra Bikepacking races, and am lucky enough to have enjoyed some incredible times on two wheels with some incredible people. I have also worked in a bike shop and with some of the industries leading brands, not just promoting products but designing them too.
Under it all I am just someone very passionate about exploration and living a healthy lifestyle. Everything I do I put 100% into it and feel that life is for living. Never should you have a dull day.
